Yam Porridge With Plantain Asaro Ologede Recipes

YAM PORRIDGE WITH PLANTAIN | ASARO OLOGEDE

Steps:

• Blend one onion with the bell pepper, scotch bonnet and tomato. Keep aside
• Chop the remaining onion.
• Peel the yam and cut into cubes
• Add into a pan with a enough water to cover the yam. Add the chopped onions with some salt and cover the pan.
• Allow to cook until the yam is soft. This should take no more than 15 mins.
• While the yam is cooking, prepare the plantain.
• Cut the top and end of the plantain off, then cut into the skin with a knife.
• Remove the skin and cut the plantain into big chunks.
• When the yam is cooked, reduce the heat to low and tip out some of the water into a bowl. Keep as you may need if porridge is too thick.
• Taste the yam and add more salt if required.
• Add the plantain, the blended pepper mix, curry powder, ginger and palm oil.
• Bring the heat back to medium.
• Cover the pan and allow to cook for about 10 mins.
• Reduce the heat and mash with a wooden spoon or potato masher to the consistency you prefer.
• When you are happy with the consistency, stir in the spinach and cover the pan.
• Remove from heat and leave for a few minutes, so the spinach can wilt before serving.

ASARO (YAM AND PLANTAIN CURRY)

Steps:

• Heat a medium pot, large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium. Pour in the neutral oil, add the sliced shallots and cook, stirring frequently, until shallots are caramelized and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove shallots from the oil and allow to drain on paper towels or a cooling rack. Season with salt and set aside.
• Drain all but 2 tablespoons of the cooking oil out of the pot. (Reserve extra oil for another use.) Over medium-low heat, add the garlic, ginger and turmeric to the pot and sauté until softened and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, for an additional 2 minutes or until it begins to stick to the bottom of the pot.
• Drop in the chile and add the whole peeled tomatoes with their juices, crushing the whole tomatoes with your hands as they go in. Stir to combine ingredients and dissolve the tomato paste, then add 3 cups water and bring to a boil over high heat.
• Once boiling, season with salt, reduce heat to medium, add the yams and simmer until the yams are just beginning to soften, about 10 minutes. Add the plantains and cook until both are tender but hold their shape, and the liquid is slightly reduced and thickened, 15 to 18 minutes.
• Stir in the coconut milk and red palm oil, if using, season with more salt and let simmer for another 10 minutes. Add the greens and cook until tender, 2 to 3 minutes.
• To serve, remove and discard the cooked chile. Ladle the curry into bowls, top with the caramelized shallots, a scattering of basil and cilantro, and several squeezes of lime juice.